Hiya Cross Wires, thanks for joining us in the virtual RGM lounge today. Grab a brew and take a seat.
Thanks for joining us today… Tell us bit about where you are from and how you got into music?
We are Cross Wires. A four piece from East London. When we started this band we had no grand plan. We thought we would just play backrooms of pubs (which we still do and there’s nothing wrong with that) We never thought we would make 3 albums and play at big festivals. It took a long time.
What’s the live music scene like in London right now?
Most of the scene is focused around The George Tavern and The Windmill. We have played at both venues and they are great places but we definitely aren’t part of that scene.
Anyone we should be looking out for (bar you, of course)?
The Pyke Circuit. Great band. Lovely people. Dark Post Punk.
Whats your thoughts on all this talk about Indie poo going round the socials at the min?
It’s great seeing young people picking up guitars. Some of it is a bit derivative and some of it is pretty good. Same as any genre (if you can call it a genre?) lots of these bands are working class so it’s a bit snobby to look down on it. Saying that I really wish some of these bands would look outside of Oasis and Arctic Monkeys for influence.
What’s the biggest thing you hate having to do to showcase your music?
Social media. I’m sure everyone feels that way. It’s hard to know what to post and it’s getting harder than ever for anyone to see it. Even people who follow you.
What are your ambitions for the band?
We would love for as many people as possible to hear our new album. We think it’s really strong and are massively proud of it. We never think too far ahead.
What’s your view on the Music industry today?
It’s the same as it’s ever been really. If you know the right people you will have a much bigger chance of having a decent crack at it. Saying that even bands signed to big labels struggle to make any money now.
Whats the biggest thing you have learned recently as you progress with your music?
Don’t try to sound like anyone else. Just creating something is an achievement. Try not to judge yourself on other people’s successes.
What’s currently in your ears and on rotation at the moment?
The new Interpol album is fantastic. Their best since Our Love To Admire. The new Protomartyr album Hotel Usona is unbelievably good. A future masterpiece.
What was your worst experience on stage? Any funny stories to share?
We played at Icebreaker Festival a couple of years ago and all the other bands on our stage were some variation on metal or heavy rock apart from us. We played really well but the audience just stood there confused apart from one bloke at the front who was loving it. He danced from minute one. We played for him. Still don’t know how we ended up on that stage.
Got any fun, funny stories from life on the road?
When we played at Shiiine On Festival for the first time we stayed in a rented house in a small village close to the festival. The showers were a freezing cold trickle and when we tried to order a Pizza from the local village pizza place and they told us it would be 4 hours. There was something depressingly amusing about it. Festival was good though.
I hear you have new music. What can you tell us about it?
Yes. We have a new album out. It’s called Under The Watchful Eye of Another Man’s God. It’s a concept album about truth, faith and the things people will do because of what they believe. It was produced by Rory Attwell and it’s available on limited edition pink/purple vinyl.
What was the recording process like?
Fairly straightforward. We have worked with Rory Attwell on our 2 previous albums so we know how each other works. Rory wasn’t in England when he mixed it so we actually recorded some overdubs on a phone in our rehearsal room and sent it to him to mix in to what we’d done in the studio. He’s a genius so you would never know.
The intro and outro to the opening track ‘The Church’ was recorded on a phone. we came up with that in rehearsal and asked Rory to make it sound like some sort of distant radio broadcast. He really nailed it.
Would you change anything now it’s finished?
No. It is what it is. On to the next thing whatever that may be.
Is there anything else you would like to share with the world?
If you want to come and see us live we are playing in London on 21st October at Jaguar Shoes in Shoreditch.
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